Patient information leaflet
Royal Surrey County Hospital
NHS Foundation Trust
Having a Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA)
of the breast and/or armpit
Radiology Department
This leaflet provides you with information about our
ultrasound FNA service. It explains what is involved and who
you will meet.
The Radiology Department
Radiology is also known as the X-Ray or Imaging Department.
Who you I meet?
Receptionist/Clerical Staff: to help you make or change your imaging
appointment and ensure your details are correct when you arrive for your
appointment.
Radiographer: a female radiographer will assist the radiologist.
Radiologist/Breast Clinician: a specialist doctor trained to take a small
sample of your breast or axillary (armpit) tissues. They will also interpret
images and report them for your consultant.
What is a FNA?
A Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) is a way of taking a small tissue sample
using a very thin (fine) small needle. The tissue sample will help the
doctors make a diagnosis for you.
Are there any risks in having an ultrasound FNA?
There are some slight risks associated with any needle test.
They include bruising and/or bleeding and soreness at the test site.
There is also the chance the tissue sample removed will not provide
enough material for a diagnosis and the test may have to be repeated.
Very rarely, an infection may occur at the FNA site.
If you have any queries about the need for this test please contact your
referring doctor.
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What preparation is required?
■■
No special preparation is required.
■■
If you take blood thinning medication, please tell us before taking up
your appointment.
■■
Please note we have no provision for child care.
Is there an alternative test?
No.
Can I bring relative or friend?
Yes, but for safety reasons they cannot accompany you into the room,
except in very special circumstances.
What should happen when I arrive?
■■
Please report to the Radiology reception desk.
■■
You will be asked to have a seat in our waiting area before being
called into the ultrasound/mammography room.
What does the ultrasound FNA entail?
Once you are in the privacy of the ultrasound/mammogram room, the
radiologist will explain the procedure to you and obtain verbal consent
before starting the examination.
You will be asked to undress to the waist and lie on the examination
couch. You may be asked to lie with your arm resting above your head.
This allows the radiologist to see and scan the breast and axilla (armpit).
The radiologist will clean the skin over the area to be sampled and inject
local anaesthetic into it. This will help make the removal of the sample
more comfortable. Once the anaesthetic has worked, a fine needle is
then inserted into the area of concern and some tissues removed. Two
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tissue samples are usually taken. The area will then be cleaned and a
dressing/plaster applied.
The tissue samples are then sent to the pathology labs to be looked at
microscopically.
Will the FNA hurt?
Local anaesthetic injections will involve a small needle stab and stinging
while it takes effect.
How long will the procedure take?
Most scans will take about 20 minutes.
Are there any side effects?
No. You will be able to drive and can return to work afterwards. You may
wish to take your usual pain relief once the local anaesthetic wears off.
When will I get the results?
You will need to make an appointment to see your consultant for the test
results one week later.
Privacy and dignity
We will try to make your visit to our department as comfortable as we
can. You will see only female staff in the mammogram/ultrasound room.
Patient survey
We value your opinion about the service we provide. Please help us to
improve the service by answering the voluntary questionnaire at the end
of your appointment letter.
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Reference sources
■■
Royal College of Radiologists
www.rcr.ac.uk/docs/radiology/pdf/BFCR(13)5_breast.pdf
■■
NHS Breast Screening Programme
For further information about Diagnostic Imaging Services
at Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust,
please contact:
Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Egerton Road
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 7XX
www.royalsurrey.nhs.uk
Useful websites
■■
The royal college of Radiologists
www.goingfora.com/radiology/mammography.html
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For general information about radiology departments visit
The Royal College of Radiologists’ website: www.goingfora.com
■■
Nice guidelines: www.nice.org.uk
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Notes
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11 WEST WING
Neurophysiology &
Clinical Measurement
How to find the Radiology Department
Occupational
Therapy
ysiotherapy
15
12
ST LUKE’S
CANCER
CENTRE
EAST WING
Pharmacy
16
1
X-ray
Royal Surrey County Hospital map
10
WING floor) 2
11 BWEST
Level
(Ground
7
Occupational
Therapy
ysiotherapy
1
Neurophysiology
&
ENTRANCE
ST LUKE’S
4
6
3
Clinical Measurement
Coffee
Shop
15 Cardiac Pharmacy
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16 Tests
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ST
LUKE’S
Blood
Tests
CANCER
CENTRE
10
5
4
4
Education Centre
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Blood
Tests
Occupational
Therapy
2
33Bus Stop
9
Cardiac
ENTRANCE
Tests
WEST WING 13
5
5
8
X-ray
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FRONT 15
ENTRANCE16
7
7
10
6
Blood
Tests
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Stairs
EAST
Outpatients
To
clinics
on WING
next floor
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Lifts
2
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Pharmacy
Tests
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4
4
114
Clinical Measurement
FRONT 15
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Tests
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ENTRANCE
9
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4
1
1
Reception
Neurophysiology &
6
KEY
Pharmacy
10
11 WEST WING
Bus Stop
ENTRANCE
WEST WING
A&E
Coffee
Shop
Occupational
Therapy
Physiotherapy
14
Reception
Neurophysiology
&
X-ray
1
To clinics on next floor
(above or below)
Lifts
EAST WING
11 WEST WING
Physiotherapy
ENTRANCE ST LUKE’S
Education Centre
7
KEY
2
33Bus Stop
Cardiac
Tests
Coffee
Shop
EAST WING
1
14 Outpatients
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Reception
X-ray
Radiology
X-ray
P&G079
FRONT
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Contact details
If you have any questions or would like to know more
about mammography, please contact the Radiology
Department on:
Telephone: 01483 571122 ext 2050 or
Direct line: 01483 464150, 9am–5pm
If you are unable to keep your appointment,
please contact us as soon as possible.
Royal Surrey County Hospital (RSCH) NHS
Foundation Trust fully subscribes to the National
Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) Being Open best
practice framework, November 2010.
PALS and Advocacy contact details
Contact details of independent advocacy services can
be provided by our Patient Advice and Liaison Service
(PALS) who are located in far left corner as you enter
the main reception area. PALS are also your first
point of contact for health related issues, questions
or concerns surrounding RSCH patient services.
Telephone: 01483 402757
Email: rsc-tr.pals@nhs.net
Opening hours: 9
.00am–4.00pm, Monday to Friday
If you would like information documents in large
print, on tape or in another language or form please
contact PALS.
Review date: October 2016
Author: April Whelan
PIN131017–845
© Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 2013